Israeli soldiers ordered to shoot at unarmed aid seekers in Gaza
Thousands of Palestinians have gathered there daily in the hope of receiving food rations, as famine looms across Gaza after more than 20 months of war. PHOTO: REUTERS
Israeli soldiers have revealed that they were instructed to shoot at unarmed Palestinians who were waiting for humanitarian aid in Gaza, Israeli media reported.
The soldiers, speaking to Haaretz - an Israeli publication, described how they were ordered to open fire on crowds of aid seekers, even though these individuals posed no threat, Al Jazeera reported.
According to the report, rather than using non-lethal crowd control measures such as tear gas, the soldiers were told to deploy heavy weaponry like machine guns, grenade launchers, and mortars on the crowds.
One soldier described the situation as a "killing field," adding that between one and five people were killed every day in these operations.
The Israeli military prosecutor's office has reportedly requested an investigation into possible war crimes, following accounts from soldiers who detailed their experiences at the aid distribution hubs in Gaza.
Since the aid centres began operating in late May, the Gaza Health Ministry reports that at least 549 people have been killed in the vicinity of these sites.
Read: Israel halts aid into Gaza
Despite these reports of violence, the US government recently approved $30 million in funding for the group overseeing these humanitarian efforts, amid concerns raised by human rights organisations regarding the potential complicity of aid staff in these incidents.
Malnutrition crisis
Meanwhile, a Gaza health official has warned that the worsening situation in the region has left 17,000 children suffering from malnutrition, with many facing the risk of death unless urgent action is taken.
In an interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, the director of medical relief in Gaza highlighted the severe shortage of medical supplies and staff, causing many surgeries to be delayed.
Read more: Netanyahu, Trump reportedly agree on ending Gaza war within two week
He stressed the need for international pressure on the Israeli occupation to allow the delivery of essential items such as baby formula and medicines.
Without immediate intervention, he stated, a significant number of children could die from malnutrition.
Israel halts aid
Israel has stopped aid from entering northern Gaza but is still allowing it to enter from the south, two officials said on Thursday after images circulated of masked men on aid trucks who clan leaders said were protecting aid, not Hamas stealing it.
A video circulating on Wednesday showed dozens of masked men, some armed with rifles but most carrying sticks, riding on aid trucks.
Swift resolution
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have reportedly agreed on a swift resolution to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
According to Israel Hayom newspaper, quoting an unnamed source, reported that Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed in a phone call this week on a rapid end to the war in Gaza, potentially within two weeks.
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